Construction Science student and National Guard member builds his future at Herbert

Where are you from, and what led you to the Herbert College of Agriculture?

I am from Hendersonville, Tennessee, and I chose to come to Herbert because of the quality of the Construction Science and Management program, which has nearly a 100 percent job placement rate. The University of Tennessee is a very military-friendly school, and as a member of the National Guard, that was one of the primary reasons why I decided to come here. Plus, as a lifelong Vols fan, as soon as I got the acceptance letter, I knew I had to come here.

What inspired you to pursue a degree in construction science?

There are endless opportunities in the construction industry. There’s good pay and good benefits and I just love the process overall. I enjoy seeing projects grow from dirt into a new hospital or a new apartment building. Also, my dad has been in construction for more than 20 years and I am inspired to be just like him.

How would you describe your experience at the Herbert College of Agriculture? How has the University of Tennessee supported your transition from military service to student life?

Herbert has been amazing. I’ve loved my time here, and the construction science major has been great. It’s been a really good transition from military. There are a lot of veterans in the construction science major, so I get along well with the people there, just talking about our experiences.

What has been your favorite class so far, and who is a professor who has significantly impacted your experience at UT?

My favorite class would have to be the construction documents class, and a professor that has significantly impacted my experience here would have to be Dr. Whitman. He is strict, but he is an excellent professor. He explains everything in great detail and uses his own stories of what he’s experienced, which puts things into perspective that makes a lot of sense.

Are there any leadership skills from your military background that you apply to construction management?

Paying attention to the small details and taking as many notes as possible, as well as getting to class 15 minutes early and making sure I have all the resources I need.

What has been your most memorable experience at Herbert so far?

The Construction Science barbeque lunches are amazing. It’s a great way to meet new people, and the barbeque is just really good. Construction management is 90 percent relationships, so you really have to learn how to talk to people and develop those relationships and bonds, and those events are great for that.

How has your experience in the Construction Science and Management program at the Herbert College of Agriculture prepared you to enter the field?

All of the professors in the Construction Science and Management program are really nice and detailed. I feel like I’ve learned a lot and it’s really going to help me throughout my career. The material that has been taught in class has already been very applicable for when I am in the office and out on the construction site during my internship.

What hands-on experiences or projects have been the most impactful for you in the program?

I’ve been an assistant project manager intern for Batten Shaw Construction where I’ve worked both in the office and onsite. I assist the project manager and senior project manager with things like processing and getting quotes on appliances. While I’m in the field, I’ll do things like punch list items and walk around the site and perform safety briefings. I’ve learned so much through my internships. I also had the chance to visit the new Knoxville Smokies baseball stadium, Covenant Health Park, when it was under construction, and that was pretty neat.

Looking ahead, what is your dream job or ideal project you’d love to work on in the future?

I love the project management side of construction, and the company that I am working for this summer, Batten Shaw Construction, has multiple projects down in Tampa, Florida, that I would love to work on.

What do you like to do outside of school and/or what is a fun fact about yourself that your fellow students and professors may not know?

I love to go hiking and fishing. A fun fact about myself, I guess would have to be that I have been on multiple hikes in Anchorage, Alaska.